‘The Plane Was Descending Dramatically’: Israeli Passenger Recalls Flydubai Cockpit Attack

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By TRH World Desk

Israeli passenger Zvika Manes has recounted the terrifying moments aboard a flydubai flight when his wife heard fighting and shouting near the cockpit, triggering a desperate effort by passengers to reach the flight deck and protect their families.

New Delhi, October 2, 2026 — Speaking to Al Arabiya English, Israeli passenger Zvika Manes said he and his family were sitting in the first row when his six-year-old daughter asked to use the toilet. His wife accompanied her because the toilet was near the cockpit.

According to Manes, his wife heard what he described as strange noises, fighting and shouting coming from the cockpit area.

She then approached the co-pilot, who was sitting outside, and asked him to check what was happening.

Manes said the situation changed within seconds.

According to his account, the Indian pilot managed to open the cockpit door during the struggle, while his wife saw the co-pilot stabbing him.

At the same time, Manes said, the aircraft began descending dramatically.

“People were falling back because of the gravitation,” he recalled.

With his daughter still near the front of the aircraft, Manes said he immediately ran to get her and move her toward the back of the plane.

Passengers rushed towards the cockpit

Manes said another Israeli passenger, whom he identified as Yaniv, ran toward the cockpit and became involved in the effort to regain control of the aircraft.

Once the plane was stabilised, Manes said the passengers involved in the confrontation “neutralized” the attacker, whom he referred to as a terrorist.

The passengers then tried to secure the area around the cockpit.

Manes said they did not know whether there could be another potential threat elsewhere on the aircraft.

Family now dealing with the aftermath

The immediate danger may have passed, but Manes said the psychological impact remained.

Around 24 hours after the incident, he said he was unable to sleep and kept seeing different scenes from what had happened.

He said his immediate priority was supporting his wife and daughter.

“The most important thing is that they will be with the family, with us,” Manes said was not simply a frightening flight emergency. It became a moment in which passengers were forced to react within seconds while trying to protect their families and help, describing the need to show them love and support.

He added that the family may eventually need professional support or therapy to deal with the experience.

For Manes, the ordeal was not simply a frightening flight emergency. It became a moment in which passengers were forced to react within seconds while trying to protect their families and help regain control of the aircraft.